There's a guy back home who's got a farm outside of town. He's got about 50+ old cars sitting out there last time I saw (about a year ago). Mostly 20-40's stuff. It's a ways off the road, and it's private property, so i didn't want to just walk up and start snooping, for obvious reason. Now, from what I can see, some of this stuff is pretty rough, but a lot of it is in pretty nice shape. The guy drives a restored 1940-ish Ford. Judging by his ride, I'm assuming he's more of a restorer than a hot rodder. That said: How do you guys usually approach someone about selling some of their stuff. I know the first step is to walk up to the front door and ring the bell, but how do you present yourself? If you get a "restorer" vibe from someone, do you plat along and tell him his car will stay safe and unchopped, or do you fess up to the fact that you're probably going to hack that old steel all to shit then put it back together the way it shoulda been in the first place? Any advice of how to pry old steel from the cautious fingers of the conservative car restorer is much appreciated. I've never talked to this guy, so for all I know he might be cool as hell, but I'd prefer to be prepared for the worst. I'll be heading back home in a couple weeks, and I hope to stop by and pay the gentleman a visit. I've got a ton of work to do yet on my Olds, but i figure I'd better try to start amassing parts for my next project as soon as possible. Thanks guys, Kris P.S. No, I won't tell you where this treasure trove of old cars is located. If the guy is interested in selling some of his stuff, I'll let interested parties know.
let me have some sloppy seconds, and I might let you in on some of my secrete ways! No, really, I too have just assumed an older gentleman would want the car to be restored if he is driving one. But, in reality, the original hotrodders are now the old guys....so you never know. Just be yourself, a car guy. You will probably get along. Goodluck.
I've had some luck not by asking for them to sell, but asking for their help in finding stuff like they have. Some of these "collectors" just need their ego stroked, so if you ask for assistance, guidance, and their wisdom, they will often help you out. Just be willing to listen to how much they know.
If you do get a chance to talk to him, ask him if the subject(Example Car A) is all original, or is "numbers matching", and mention how you think it's a shame that so many enthusiasts ruin a car by "streetrodding" a piece of history. You might be surprised how the conversation goes from there. When I bought my chevy (all original, numbers matching) I didn't mention any plans other than putting it back together and where to buy sheetmetal panels. I picked up on his "original motor, etc. " vibe several times, and mentioned how much I liked the idea of keeping the original motor (didn't mention bored and stroked with multiple carbs...) I think he was so excited to find a "like-minded" buyer that it helped drive the sking price down. I'd be lying if I said I'm not looking forward to driving the finished (chopped/bagged) product over to his place and popping the hood to show him the "original" block. Good luck.
Stress the sorry state that its in and the NEED to get it back onto the road. Talk in as generic terms as possible. Keep the conversation on what it is now, and not your plans. IE "Its gonna neeed pathc panels." 'That glass has gone all bubbly, DAMN." that kind of thing. Talk about whats missing. LISTEN to his responses. Go from there. Glenn
Let's look at it from how he will see it: First off you don't even know what year of car he drives. He obviously values old cars, so do you think he'll sell one to someone who doesn't know much about them? Educate yourself on what he has before you approach him. Second, are you gonna lowball him? Make sure you have enough money, cause if he needed money badly he'd have sold them by now. Third, have a good attitude. If you piss him off at all, he probably wouldn't sell to you. I know I wouldn't. Make him a friend and maybe you can buy multiple cars from him over the years to come. Fourth, just because he's a "restorer" doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate a good hot rod. I know two devout restorers, and they both have said they like the cars (rods) my family builds. One is even working on a hopped up 32 roadster himself now. Make sure the seller will like what you are gonna do to "his" car.
Collectors HATE selling to dealers; show that you're an enthusiast who's going to do something with it. If possible - show pics of your stuff.
Ther was a pretty long thread on "How to bribe a crusty old f****r into selling his ride". You might do a search. If it were me, I'd show some respect and be honest with the guy. You're probably not the first one to try to buy something off of him, he's probably heard all of the BS stories, and contrary to popular belief, all old guys are not stupid. If he doesn't want to sell, don't push it or throw a tantrum. Be respectful and keep checking back with him to see if he might have changed his mind. Larry T-COF
I have had terrible luck doing what you want to try. They see through me like a window. You might try wearing a cap that says Model A, not a new one. Ask them to guide you in your "restoration". Good Luck!
I can bribe my granddaughter and take her along with me,she knows how to act all excited ,it's just the same kind of car she wanted ,blah blah blah. Years ago I stopped at a gentlemans house with several AMX's out back. I talked to him for a few minutes and he ask what my plans were. I told him I was going to strip it and put a Chevy in it and Drag Race it. HE ask me to leave and tell all my friends to stay away also. Live and learn.
Thanks for the words of wisdom guys. IMS, the guy isn't old at all. Probably around 40. I'm thinking I might scope the place out a bit first. I'll show up and introduce myself, try to plant a seed so he remembers me, and try to guage whether or not he'd be interested in selling, or if all those cars are his retirement savings plan, before I start pulling bills out of my pockets. I figure even if he doesn't want to sell any of his cars: If I can get in good with him then that might help down the road when I need rare or hard to find parts. Ole Don: I'm the exact same way. If I get the "stock resto" vibe off the guy, I'll try to avoid any of the hard questions. I'm pure crap a lieing. I guess if he asks, I'll let him know what I plan on doing. Better to have him reject any offers on a car, but still be a friendly face to get parts from, than to piss him off and be left with nothing. Joecool: Now that's an idea... I'll have to see which of my friends back home would be willing to loan my their kid for a couple hours... Kris
The thread LarryT was talking about... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48962 Mutt
Sounds like you have found a good spot. You are not going to be the first to ask about his stuff, most likey he will read you like a book those cars my be his only claim to fame sounds like a conservative kind of guy my even be a H.A.M.B you both like old cars thats a start be up right with him ask if he has any time to talk about his cars? ONE MORE THING - ( Abrasive ) Don't go rubbing on the guy!! (lol) lb+1
If he is about 40 years old, good luck. I doubt that you will be dealing with a moron here. He would obviously know what stuff is worth as he must have collected it all up himself. I have a lot of cars and guys try to lowball me about what they are worth. I usually tell them that if they know of others for the price they quoted I will take all of the ones they don't buy. I am not expensive to buy off so it just ticks me off. Pat.
Express interest in getting a car of your own and getting it back on the road, most people have an idea whats it worth (or think they do), so lowballing is'nt always an option. You would be surprised how many times I have gotten something for a cheap price by being honest about what I could afford. But I think the passion for the car/part in question would show through. Also he may not be ready to sell now but keep in contact, things change. He may realize hes not going to get to all the projects or he may know of other cars around.
My real motivation here isn't to come home with a car. I'm driving the Sunfire back home, so it's not like I'd be able to get it back here anyways. I don't haggle well at all, and I don't lowball. My dilemma is that I truely am a cheap son of a bitch. I don't try to rip people off, by any means. I understand things cost money and there's no free lunches. However, if I can find a friendly face that might help in the aquirement of parts down the line without having to scour e-bay and pay shipping, duty, and brokerage to import stuff into Canada, I'd be a happy man. Mostly I'm looking at this as a networking run for now, and don't want to look like too much of an asshole when I get there. Kris P.S. Fordnutz: Hell you might even know the stockpile I'm talking about. You're only a couple hours away from my old stomping grounds.
As always, alot of good comments and some really stupid ones. Switch rolls, Think of what you are going to say as if someone was going to feed you the same line that you are going to use. Making comments inquiring if its number matching, that you are going to keep it all original, etc. are a waste of time and just makes you come off as some arrogant punk. Here is something different, just be honest. If you are interested in cars and he probably is too since he has them, then you have something in common. Talk less and listen more. I am not directing this at you specifically. What I have found is that people enjoy talking about their hobbies or interests. Let him talk, you cannot look like a ass just by listening. I have been on both sides of these things and dumb asses that tell me that my junk is junk get no where fast. If my stuff is that bad, why would I want to burden you with it? I have sold to people that show me that they are interested in the parts or cars for themselves and not to flip of a buck. I do not need to sell my stuff so if you approach me, you need to come across as a decent person and not some lying b.s.'er or you are wasting my time and I will send the dog on you. Again, this advise is worth what you paid for it just like all of the others above. Good luck. Neal
Kris, lots of guys around Saskatchewan like that, but I don't regognize this individual. Driving a stock 40's ford would be a tip off to me. Just be up front with the guy. Mentioning you are a hot rodder isn't always a good idea here. Listen more than talk. Pat.
True. I've lived to the point where now, I'm probably considered "the old guy with all the cars lying around" by young motorheads (I guess when I was 20, I thought that 46 was old too). If I'm willing to sell something, I really don't care what the potential buyer's intentions are. If I want $2000, and he gives me $2000, and sells it tomorrow for $6000, that's tough shit for me. I should have known enough to get the $6000 for it myself. I can, however, understand how some guys with a pile of cars/parts end up with a sour attitude when someone comes around asking "how much you want for that old car out there behind your garage". I don't play games with them; if I don't want to sell it, I tell them so, and don't change my mind after fifteen minutes of conversation. Unfortunately, the majority of kids that inquire get sad looks on their faces and go shuffling away when they find out that I'm not some clueless fool that will sell them a '61 Catalina hardtop for $45. After talking to countless people that figure on buying in-demand cars and parts for pennies, it's easy to dismiss all that come after them and just tell them that none of it's for sale.
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